Contradiction in govt orders sparks farmer outrage in Gujarat over crop loss survey

Unseasonal rains have left Gujarat’s farmers reeling, destroying crops across tens of thousands of hectares and plunging them into financial distress. Just as harvest season began, untimely downpours wiped out standing crops, leaving many farmers with nothing to recover from the loss.

Amid this crisis, the government’s mixed messaging has added to the confusion. While the Agriculture Minister announced that a crop loss survey would be completed within seven days, the Agriculture Department’s official circular instructed officers to finish the process within twenty days. This contradiction has raised serious questions about the government’s coordination and credibility.

Unseasonal rains have caused widespread damage, especially in Saurashtra and Kutch, with the meteorological department warning of more heavy showers ahead. Farmers, whose crops have been ruined, are now anxiously awaiting compensation under the government’s relief package. However, until the official crop loss survey is completed, no compensation amount can be finalised.

According to the circular, agricultural officers have been directed to conduct surveys using satellite imagery, submit findings to district administrations within 12 days, compare digital surveys with satellite data, and forward details to district collectors within seven days. 

Officers are further required to complete the entire process and send proposals for assistance to the government within 15 days.

This contradiction between the government’s verbal assurances and its written directives has angered farmers, who accuse the administration of insensitivity and mismanagement.

The Gujarat Kisan Congress has alleged that the government is “speaking with two tongues” and making a mockery of farmers’ suffering. Questions have also been raised about why crop loss assessments personally carried out by BJP MLAs, MPs, and ministers are not being accepted as valid.

Farmer representatives have argued that in areas receiving up to 15 inches of rain, fresh surveys are unnecessary. They have demanded that if crop loss is not reflected in surveys, the government should procure groundnuts at Minimum Support Price (MSP) to offer immediate relief. After suffering repeated blows from natural calamities over the last several seasons, farmers are also renewing their call for loan waivers.

Points included in Agriculture Department’s circular

Conduct crop loss surveys using satellite imagery and send data to district authorities within 12 days.

Compare digital and satellite surveys and submit findings to collectors within 7 days.

Complete surveys and forward proposals for relief within 15 days.

Use VCE surveyors for fieldwork; if unavailable, take help from Class 10 pass youths.

Ensure the entire process is completed within 20 days.

Groundnut crop controversy

Gujarat Kisan Congress leader Palbhai Ambaliya has alleged that village officials have received verbal instructions to record losses only where groundnut kernels are visibly damaged. He claims the government has imposed stringent conditions to minimise the appearance of crop loss and reduce compensation liability.

Ambaliya stated that if the government refuses to acknowledge the damage, it should at least procure groundnuts at MSP to provide financial support to affected farmers.